Studio: Shimmer Lake Films

Cast:

Director: David Fincher

Release Date: Friday, September 20th.

Pitch: Ever wondered what it is like to be in a coma? What do you feel? What do you see? I can answer all that. You see, I'm in a coma. It's like sleeping, only there's one dream. You have a new life, one you never thought existed. I've got a wife, a father, friends... all of which I lack in real life. No one would miss me. Why can't I stay here? The only thing I fear is waking up... leaving my world behind. What would happen then? I'd be a nobody all over again.

Film

PICTURE: David McCormack (Joaquin Phoenix) lying in a hospital bed.

Yeah. That's me. David McCormack. A nobody. A fuckin' nobody. Do you know what I do for a living? Do you have any idea? I'm one of those goddamn telemarketers that calls you while you're eating dinner. I'm a ghost. No one knows who I am. I'm an only child and my parents were only childs. My parents are dead. My father was a drunk and wrapped his car around a tree with my mother in the passengers seat. I was eight.

Do you know the worst part about being in a coma? It's not like sleeping, it's like living. You live your dreams. Some people stay in coma's for ten, fifteen years. It gets to the point where the line between the two worlds is blurred.

The world I live in? It's great. I've got a father, a wife, and a kid on the way. Everything I could have ever wanted. The best part? There isn't a David McCormack. It's David Jackson. Jackson. I always liked that name.

PICTURE: Shelly Jackson (Jennifer Lopez) lying in bed at their home.

That's my wife Shelly. She's the best. She works as an advertising consultant for this large firm in the city. My dad comes over everyday to have lunch with me. My life rocks.

****THE NEXT DAY*****

Eddie came by today…..my friend? Oh. I didn't tell you about him. Eddie Renner, my best bud. We went to school together at Marrington High. We played on the football team together. We even played college ball together. It was great. I loved every moment of it. He came by to ask me out to lunch. So, we went.

SCENE: Eddie and David eating lunch.

He started talking about his new job. He works at this insurance firm where people buy life insurance, in case they're gonna die. He tells me that there's this guy who's cashing in his policy and the company's shelling out some 100,000 dollars to him. Can you believe that? 100,000 dollars? That's insane! Anyway, he keeps reminding me that I don't have life insurance and that I should get some before the baby's born. I told him I'd talk to Shelly about it. I always run things by her first.

SCENE: Shelly and David at home. She's just come home from work and David is giving her a back massage to ease her nerves.

*****THE NEXT DAY*****

SCENE: David eating lunch with his father.

My dad's carrying on in a boring conversation about how he's pulling the plug on his program and starting up a new one. He works at an elementary school with disabled children. Currently they have this program going, I can't remember what, and it doesn't seem to be working, so they're going in a new direction.

SCENE: David eating dinner with Shelly.

Shelly's stressed out again. There are some complications with the baby, but the doctors haven't told her what. I hate seeing Shelly like this. When we first met, she was so happy and carefree. Now this? I can't stand it. She's going through so much right now and I just don't want to see her get hurt. I'd do anything to stop that.

*****THE NEXT DAY*****

SCENE: Eddie and David watching TV

Eddie came by today. He said that I don't have good enough health to pick up a policy on me. Can you believe that? I'm in perfect shape! I don't smoke, drink, gamble! Why am I not in good health? Sheesh. When Shelly gets home, I'm going to sleep.

*****THE NEXT MORNING*****

SCENE: David wakes up in a hospital room.

Shit. Where am I? A hospital room? What's the deal? Hey! I can't move! Am I paralyzed? Oh God. I'm paralyzed.

****David's father walks into the room with Kelly on his arm.

Dad! Dad! Hey. What's wrong?

****They aren't hearing him. Dr Morton Howe follows them in.

DAD! What's going on? Who's that girl?

"Let's just get this over with."

"Robert, Louie isn't here yet."

DAD?

"You signed the paperwork so you know what this means, right?"

"Yes. I've already done all that."

Done what? Dad? What's going on? Why won't you talk to me?

"With the baby on the way….I already had to cash out my life insurance….I can't afford this anymore."

"I understand that this is a difficult decision and you shouldn't hold it against yourself. He's been here for almost 10 years. Most families would have given up by now. With the trauma that he received from the crash, I was surprised he didn't die right there."

"I understand. Let's just get this over with."

Dad?

****Louie Van Widener walks into the room.

Oh God. Eddie. Thank God you're here. Maybe you can talk some sense into him.

"I'm sorry I couldn't pull that last minute insurance policy for you."

"It's nothing Louie. You've done more than most friends would have."

"It's all my fault. I should have taken the keys."

What keys? I was sleeping!

"At least he didn't live to see Shelly die. That would have killed him."

"He shouldn't have driven home."

"But HE DID!"

Shelly? What happened to Shelly? Eddie? What's going on? Where's Shelly?

"He drove her home and it's MY fault because I didn't want to leave the party."

"He should have known better."

Did something happen?

"Maybe now they'll get to be together."

Oh God. Shelly's dead!

"Maybe now we can get on with our lives. I've got a new daughter on the way, and with her disorder, we're going to need all the money I can save."

"It's gotta be hard. My sister has down syndrome. I know what it's like."

You don't have a sister. What's going on! Why won't anyone talk to me!

"Does anyone have anything to say to David before I pull the plug?"

Pull the plug? NO! You can't! I'm alive! It's murder!

"I think everything I've wanted to say, I've said a million times. Sorry buddy."

****Louie kisses David on the forehead and walks out of the room.

"I'll wait outside"

****Kelly steps out of the room. Robert gets up and hovers over David.

(sobbing) Dad. Please. Whatever I did, whatever I said. I promise I'll never… I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please.

"David. I know you'll understand. It's for the best."

What best? YOURS?

"You'll get to be with Shelly again…and Mom. (pause) This is the hardest thing I've ever…ever had to do. You were my first son. You'll always be my Davy, no matter what."

Dad!

****Robert gets up and kisses David on the forehead, nods to the Doctor and moves out of the room. The Doctor moves next to David and bends down.

Oh God. Please. No. I'll never do…. DAD!

****Robert comes back into the room.

"What"?

DAD?

"Yeah. What's wrong David?"

What do you mean! You were just going to let me die!

"No. You have to go into surgery."

What about… the coma, the accident…

"You wrecked your car getting milk."

Shelly?

"She's fine. You'll be OK, you just broke a few bones, that's all."

Where am I?

"You're safe, here with us."

Who am I?

"My son. My only son. David Jackson."

Oh fuck.

****The screen turns black.

THE END